Bill Simmons, the popular, but provocative, columnist and television personality who turned himself into one of the biggest stars in sports media will be leaving ESPN at the end of his contract in September.
“We weren’t going to get to the terms,” ESPN president John Skipper told Richard Sandomir of The New York Times.
Simmons joined ESPN.com in 2001 and helped build readership on the website with his every-fan sports columns, most of which fixated on his love of the NFL, NBA, Celtics, Patriots and other Boston sports. He also hosted a popular podcast (The B.S. Report), served as a studio host for the network’s NBA programming and helped spearhead the ultra-successful 30 for 30 documentary series, which has won the network numerous awards. But he’s often been a powder keg, getting twice suspended from Twitter for criticizing other ESPN employees and earning a full three-week suspension during the NFL season for calling Roger Goodell a liar and then daring his bosses to sanction him for it.
He complained in 2008 when he wasn’t allowed to put Barack Obama on his show, but took time off in 2010 to write his bestselling Book of Basketball, then was given free rein over his own breakaway site — Grantland — in 2011. Part prestige-project, part pop-culture guide, Grantland often featured tremendous writing but couldn’t find its footing in its four years of existence. It was also embroiled in a major controversy after a story about a charlatan selling “magical” putters unjustly revealed that the character at the heart of the story was a transgender woman who killed herself before publication.
Still, despite his occasional rabble-rousing, Simmons was the most important personality at ESPN.com and perhaps in the whole network, which makes this breakdown in talks, four months before the contract ends, a fascinating story. Simmons’ next move will be closely watched. He could join another legacy media company (but will he ever have it better than he had it at ESPN?) or make a solo foray into the world of the broadcast media, a la Glenn Beck.
Skipper released a statement on the parting of ways:
“I decided today that we are not going to renew Bill Simmons’ contract. We have been in negotiations and it was clear it was time to move on. ESPN’s relationship with Bill has been mutually beneficial – he has produced great content for us for many years and ESPN has provided him many new opportunities to spread his wings. We wish Bill continued success as he plans his next chapter. ESPN remains committed to Grantland and we have a strong team in place.”
The ESPN president also told Sandomir the situation was “about more than money.”
Source:ftw.usatoday.com
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